I have the feeling this poll is going to be a running battle between Marlin and Ruger. After all, they make the most wildly popular rimfires ever made.
Of course, there are better rifles, but, I myself have never shot a Henry much less owned one. Same with Anschutz, Weatherby and so on...
So, I have to go with what I'm familiar with, Marlin and Winchester.
The Marlin 60 has been a freakishly accurate rifle for the money and has been very reliable so that's what I went with on the poll.
For fun, my Winchester lever gun gets the nod and also is favored because it shoots long rifle, long and shorts, fairly accurately too. Now, that is just plain cool.